LENTEBLOM FILM

Short Synopsis: Shaun has been away from the farm where he grew up, for a lengthy period of time – undergoing training on a farm in the Northern Province. His long-time girlfriend, Karen awaits his return patiently. The same goes for his mother. The future holds big dreams and plans for the couple. But tough times lie ahead. With no one to look after her, a simple evening out with a friend, it becomes a night that changes the lives of a few people dramatically. No-one talks, but Karen suddenly locks herself away from the world. Shaun returns unexpectedly, and is offered a new position on the farm by Mr. Coetsee. But he mysteriously struggles to achieve the simplest of get- togethers with his long-time girlfriend. Shaun’s mother tries to protect her only son by keeping him away from Karen. The whole community talks behind Shaun’s back whilst Shaun tries to win his way back into Karen’s world. Shaun works hard in his new position; and is asked to be innovative. One suggestion is to bring an HIV/AIDS prevention theatre production to the farm. He manages this with a plomb. The presence of a gang – his old school buddy, Papsak and his mean bunch of friends, complicate matters. Lenteblom portrays the dilemma of a man in a community - struggling to stand up against the moral decay of our time. Lenteblom is a story of hope, where love finds a way to blossom - even in the midst of pain, brokenness and evil

WHY THIS FILM MATTERS?

South Africa has the biggest and most high profile HIV epidemic in the world, with an estimated 6.3 million people living with HIV in 2013. In the same year, there were 330,000 new infections while 200,000 South Africans died from AIDS-related illnesses. South Africa has the largest antiretroviral treatment programme globally and these efforts have been largely financed from its own domestic resources. The country now invests more than $1 billion annually to run its HIV and AIDS programmes.

The film with the help of HORTGRO SA has already reached over 56 000 people that has been screened and tested with communal film screening across farms in Southern Africa. The film is used along with assistance of trained health care physicians and social workers to discuss and share important information relating to HIV/AIDS and the virgin cure myth

THE VIRGIN CURE MYTH? The rape of a nine-month-old baby girl by six men in a remote part of rural South Africa has focused the nation on an 80 per cent rise in child sexual abuse over a year, much of it connected with the country's Aids pandemic.“South Africa has descended into a sadistic society, where rape – and in particular the horrifically high rape of small children, are grossly under-reported . MORE THAN A MILLION BABIES RAPED EACH YEAR? The belief that HIV/AIDS can be cured as a result of sex with a virgin has been identified as a possible factor in the rape of babies and children in South Africa. .Some of the victims were as young as six-months-old, a number of whom died from their injuries, while others contracted HIV. The largest increase in attacks has been against children under seven.​​​Lenteblom brings a story of love, with a powerful tool for conversations to expose the virgin cure myth.

CAST

Brendan Daniels

Brendon Daniels is a South African actor best known to television audiences for his roles in the series Vallei van Sluiers, Die Francois Toerien Show and Die Boland Moorde.Other television series he has acted in include Interrogation Room, Madam & Eve, Stellenbosch, Shooting Stars, Transito, Geraldina die Tweede, The Philanthropist and League of Glory.Brendon has also appeared in numerous films including The Young Lions, Heaven, Four Corners, Dollars and White Pipes, End of the Road, Fleisch, Master Harold and the Boys, I Now Pronounce You Black and White, The Abyss Boys, Agter die Berge, Black Butterflies, Four Corners, Zulu and iNumber Number.On stage, he has had roles in the productions Die Generaal and Rooiland (both directed by Jaco Bouwer) and Babbel and Lot, directed by Nicola Hanekom. In 2012 he won KKNK and kykNET Fiesta awards for Best Actor for his role in Rooiland.

Waldemar Schultz

Waldemar Schultz is an actor, known for Black Butterflies (2011), Catch a Fire (2006) and Heart & Soul (2011)

Waldemar Schultz is a South African actor, director and voice artist best known for his role as Jan-Hendrik Terreblanche in the SABC2 soapie 7de Laan, since 2000. He was also the host of the 7de Laan companion show Ken Jou Laan (Know Your Lane), which aired on SABC2 from 13 June to 5 September, 2008.

Sherman Pharo

Sherman Pharo is an actor, known for Die Minensucherin (2011) and Der Tod meiner Schwester (2007), a Lucky man

Ivan Abrahams

Ivan Abrahams is a South African actor best known for his work in theatre, although he has acted in several television series as well, including a starring role in the kykNET drama series Orion, in 2006.Ivan completed a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Cape Town. He also did a British Theatre Association acting and directing course.His television roles include Stray Bullet on M-Net, The Game, Generations, Heartlines and Forced Love. His theatre work includes A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Tempest, King Lear, Macbeth, Anthony and Cleopatra and Kanna hy kô hystoe.Abrahams was awarded an FNB Vita Award in 2000 for best leading actor for SUIP.

Celeste Matthews

Celeste Matthews is a South African actress best known for her role as Mara Horing in the television drama series Known Gods, from 2005-2006.She also had a starring role as Matrone in the kykNET comedy-drama series Geraldina die Tweede, in 2007.Other television series she has acted in include Big Okes, Backstage, 50/50, Fishy Feshuns, SOS, Ali Baba, Living with Mother, Orion, Scandal!, Home Affairs, Villa Rosa, Montana, Stokvel, Rugby Motors, Mad Dogs and Oupa and Ouma.She is known in theatre circles for her role as Sophia in Suip!, for which she received a Fleur du Cap Award, and as Auntie Hester in District Six, the Musical.Films include: THE MAN OF YESTERDAY; PIANO; CROSSROADS; SOS VILLAGE; MY WAY; HEIMEL UBER AFRIKA; FORGIVENESS; DISSONENCE; LICHT VON AFRIKA; EINE LIEBE AFRIKA

Chris Majiedt

Chris Majiedt is a South African actor best known for his role as Mr. Hendriks in the SABC2 mini-series Riemvasmaak, from February to March, 2008. He played in various films including Jakkelsdans